The 18^th International Izmir Short Film Festival announced its award winners Saturday November 11 at Historical Havagazi Cultural Center.

The award ceremony was hosted by actor Hakan Bilgin. The winning films were selected from 4 categories from international and national finalists by the Festival's jury members.

The Festival received a record-breaking number of submissions from over 42 countries, the highest it has received to date, including fiction, documentary, animation and experimental short films.
 

WINNERS – INTERNATIONAL FICTION

The international jury this year included president András Muhi, Alev Fatos Parsa, Sali Saliji – Sallini and Murat Tolga Sen.

• Winner of the Golden Cat Award – Best Film

Animal. Director Bahram Ark, Bahman Ark (15min, Iran)

·         Second Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:

Limbo. Director Konstantina Kotzamani (29min, France)

·         Third Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:

8 Minutes. Director Giorgi Gogichaishvili, Davit Abramishvili (13min, Georgia)
 

WINNERS – NATIONAL FICTION

The international jury this year included president Handan Ipekci, Harika Uygur, Ali Dusenkalkar, Deniz Cakir, Aytekin Cakmakci, Aziz Imamoglu.

• Winner of the Golden Cat Award – Best Film

Toprak. Director Onur Yağız (11min)

·         Second Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:

The Trap / Kapan. Director Korhan Günay (8min)

·         Third Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:

Story of a Job Interview / Bir İş Görüşmesi. Director Alkım Özmen (15min)

• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Documentary

Away From Her / Uzaktaki Kadın. Director Özgür Demirci (14min)

• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Animation

The Valley / Vadi. Director Can Erkan, Salih Toprak (10min)

• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Experimental

Fifty Six / Elli Altı. Director Dilara Şahin (8min)

The festival also awarded the following;

• National fiction Best Editing

Toprak / Toprak, Director Onur Yağız (11min)

• National fiction Best Cinematography

Beyoglu Cinema / Beyoğlu Sineması, Director Ömer Ferhat Özmen (15min)

• National fiction New Comer

Orhan Öztokat for his role in Prettiest of All Possible Lives / Mümkün Hayatların En Güzeli, Director Derin Biricik (17min)

and

Miray Sahin for her role in Wire / Tel, Director Berkay Hasbay (15min)

• National fiction Migros Youth Award – Voted by university students

Learning How to Swim / Yüzme Öğreniyorum, Director Serpil Altın (12min)